Is Hooters Heading For MCR?

Controversial American 'breastaurant' chain lining-up sites in Manchester, London and Newcastle

HOOTERS - the controversial American 'beer, boobs and burgers' chain - are currently eyeing-up sites in Manchester, London and Newcastle, nearly twenty years after they launched their first UK outlet in Nottingham.

The Nottingham site remains one of the brand's top fifteen most profitable outlets in the world.

Chanticleer Holdings, the North Carolina-based franchisee owner of Hooters, have 'identified Manchester for a future Hooters site', according to CEO Mike Pruitt.

He told Confidential: "Given the long time success in Nottingham, in part because of the local management team, we look forward to providing the capital to expand the brand under their leadership throughout the UK."

The Hooters brand - which labels itself 'delightfully tacky, yet unrefined' - has been offering punters a simple yet lucrative combination of fried food, big-screen sports, big beers and even bigger chests since the first outlet launched in 1983 in Florida.

Hooters

Hooters is estimated to be worth around $1 billion, operating in over 430 locations in 29 countries, including restaurants as far-reaching as Australia, China and Russia, as well as Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic in Europe - there's even a Hooters casino in Las Vegas.

The brand had previously announced an aggressive UK expansion back in 2008, with plans for 36 new sites, however, of that 36 only Cardiff and Bristol opened. Both have since closed.

Still, the Nottingham site remains one of the brand's top 15 most profitable outlets in the world.

Hooters Casino - Las Vegas

Controversy has followed the brand from the outset, with detractors saying the scantily-clad waitresses - wearing the now famous low-cut white tshirts and tight orange hotpants - objectify women. In a 2010 article, Mail on Sunday columnist Liz Jones called Hooters 'more offensive than a lapdancing club'.

Lawsuits too have plagued Hooters, with several cases contending the brands strict 'female-only' employment policy for waiting staff. In 2010 a lawsuit was filed against Hooters Michigan after an employee was threatened with dismissal unless she 'improved her shirt and short size'.

Still, Hooters bosses argue that only 70% of its workforce are female, and that up to a third of its U.S. customer base are women, with some overseas markets closer to 50/50.

Anyone remember the Hooters that opened up ten years or so ago in Great Northern? - pure Amsterdam, full of staggies and hens for a couple of years then all went south and became a furniture shop -(that went bust!)

Protest has followed the brand, not controversy. There's nothing controversial about opening a junk food joint whatever the staff wear or don't wear, and if the place does open nearly everyone won't make any objections at all.

I know, but they're just not Hooters hot. I'd say attractive US women are far more attractive than pretty British women.

GimboidFebruary 23rd 2015.

There are plenty of hot-enough waitresses and bar staff already working in other Manchester venues.

GimboidFebruary 23rd 2015.

All Hooters need to do is recruit them.

AnonymousFebruary 23rd 2015.

I've seen some attractive women in restaurants in Manchester, mainly at reception, but they haven't got the Hooters personality. They're all rather aloof. Hooters need their staff to be flirty but in control of the order taking and their tables.

AnonymousFebruary 23rd 2015.

There are attractive women from all over the world living in Manchester, more so than in most American cities. I don't know whether they'll want to work in this dump though.

Peter StringfellowFebruary 23rd 2015.

Ah there it is. The worst Confidential rant debate ever.

AnonymousFebruary 24th 2015.

'There are attractive women from all over the world living in Manchester'? Yes, and they're called prostitutes.

AnonymousFebruary 24th 2015.

You'd know about that would you?

AnonymousFebruary 24th 2015.

They're all aloof?? God, because how dare a woman at work not drop everything to flirt with every man who graces her with their presence!! I hope you people are being ironic and that you're not just sexist morons!

GimboidFebruary 24th 2015.

Oh dear, Anon. There is a difference between not being aloof and being flirty. It's called being friendly, essential to good customer service. Not to mention to being a decent human being.

Shit BiscuitFebruary 24th 2015.

What's the matter, Anon? Were you once employed in a position where you were expected to demonstrate a modicum of warmth and civility towards the people paying your wages? Was that very traumatic for you?

AlexFebruary 27th 2015.

there are loads of people in Manchester with little better to do than celebrate the objectification of women here. Sigh.

GimboidFebruary 27th 2015.

Oh Alex, why do you have a problem with people being attracted to other human beings?

This is typical of Ian Simpson architects, putting up glass boxes everywhere, destroying our heritage. No wonder we're attracting bars like 'Hooters' rather than real pubs. And don't get me started on the glass vestibule on Library Walk, this city is being destroyed piece by piece and it is all thanks to the coucil and piccadily gardens and ian simpson. And what will we have to show for it but a branch of hooters on every street corner.

Well if it does happen, I imagine it will have a lot of people visiting Manchester shopping or partying going in, rather than locals. Their tops don't look THAT low cut, you see more flesh just talking down the street. It's not that different to a lot of bars, it makes great business sense to employ attractive barmen/ladies. I do think they should have a place to perv at men though too. The funny thing is, guys will go in there to look at the Hooters waitresses, but there won't be many female customers in there to chat to and actually maybe have a chance with, they should go to a normal bar/restaurant and maybe get to meet a girl! I suppose it will be stop one of the night though for Lads nights out. Whether I check it out or not will depend on their vegetarian options, and what sport they show (wrestling please)! Pervy Lady

been to hooters once and it was my girlfriend that took me. If your a normal well adjusted person you should be fine here, afterall there are questionable looking massage parlours all over the city but we don't get upset about them.